In this episode, we sit down with Kelly Sabo, Head of SMB and Mid Market ANZ at Cisco, as she discusses cybersecurity essentials for small and medium businesses (SMBs). Kelly delves into the misconceptions SMB owners have about their vulnerability to cyber attacks, the alarming statistic that up to 60% of SMBs risk going out of business within 6 months post-attack, and the critical need for a comprehensive approach that goes beyond IT. We also explore how SMBs can tackle these challenges with limited resources, the benefits of outsourcing cybersecurity to experts, and the role of AI in automating security tasks to enhance protection. Additionally, Kelly emphasizes practical steps SMBs can take, like implementing multi-factor authentication and conducting risk assessments, to bolster their security without incurring enterprise-level costs.

Kelly Sabo, Leader – Small & Medium Business and Commercial Mid-Market, Cisco Australia & New Zealand

With over a decade of experience in the technology sector, Kelly is dedicated to empowering small and medium businesses (SMBs) and commercial mid-market enterprises to thrive in today’s digital backdrop. As the leader for SMB and mid-market sized customers at Cisco ANZ, Kelly is deeply committed to leveraging Cisco’s cutting-edge technologies to drive growth, efficiency, and competitiveness for businesses of all sizes.

Kelly‘s expertise lies in understanding the unique challenges and opportunities faced by SMBs and mid-market enterprises, particularly in an environment where the adoption of cloud and software as a service solution has reshaped the industry landscape. She is passionate about helping organisations harness the power of cloud managed networking, security, and collaboration to meet the demands of the modern business world.

Kelly’s experience covers multiple technology companies including Oracle, NetApp and now Cisco, from sales leadership, managing partners, distributors, account management and sales operations.

Since joining Cisco in 2015, Kelly has held various leadership, channel, and sales roles, gaining valuable insights into the dynamic nature of the technology ecosystem. Her extensive knowledge of the channel space provides her with a unique perspective in helping partners adapt and evolve in a rapidly changing environment.

As a leader in the industry who can distil complexity and boil it down to clear actions, Kelly is frequently sought after to share her insights and expertise at industry events and conferences.